Chapter 6: Chapter 6

MEL:

- I want to thank you for everything Mel, you were a true angel that appeared in my little boy's life- hug me once again, and now I gladly reciprocate.

- Imagine Katherine, I did what I would want you to do for me if I were in the same situation- I smile in her direction.

- I am grateful for that and since I want us to keep in touch I will extend an invitation, tomorrow is a friend's daughter's birthday, would you like to attend?- I am apprehensive about going since I would not know anyone but her, but I finally accept after seeing her hopeful look.

- It won't be a bother, right? Wouldn't it be better to warn the birthday girl about my presence?

- The birthday girl won't be there, Mel, and before you ask me why I'll make a long story short, Elisa was kidnapped at birth, but unfortunately, no matter how hard we search, we can't find her at all. So, not to leave such an important date blank, the Collins chose to celebrate her birthday anyway- it says everything in one breath and strangely my heart is heavy with that information.

- I'll come - I unexpectedly find myself agreeing - give me your number and then we'll exchange messages about the address and time.

After writing down his number on my cell phone, I learned that it would be a costume party so the use of a mask was indispensable, I mentally thanked him for being able to hide my eyes better. We said goodbye again while a toothpick grumbles that warriors never part.

I wanted to put this little boy in a little jar and put him away.

ATLAS:

- Where are you?" I wake up to the shrill voice of Henrique, better known as Hick, coming from the hallway. He seemed very agitated, something that would be normal for a three-year-old, but not for him who is very reserved.

- NIEL?!" his shout was now coming from inside my room, I squinted my eyes trying to visualize my small and incredibly annoying brother. He was jumping from side to side looking very excited about something.

What is wrong with this puppy?

- Niel, she is so beautiful and nice, besides being very affectionate - I sit on the bed not understanding anything he says - her name is Mel and she is going to be my future companion - he finishes in one breath, giving a huge smile in the process.

Mel? Companion?

- HENRIQUE JACKSON MARTIN your brother was sleeping and you shouldn't bother him - my mother leans against the door with her arms crossed in front of her body while giving Hick a menacing look - you know he hardly sleeps - she looks at me worriedly.

She's right, I haven't been able to sleep well for years and I guess that's why I spend so much time taking care of the kingdom and training. But these days I've been feeling very restless, Klaus is even quite agitated, I think because it's getting close to her birthday.

- Don't worry Miss Kath, I get enough sleep - I know she won't believe me, but I prefer to call it a night - are you going to stay here in the castle tonight? You know you can stay as long as you want," I say, watching Hick's eyes widen with excitement at the idea.

- Tonight won't work dear, your father wants to talk with Henrique- I arch one of my eyebrows intrigued- he scared the hell out of me when he disappeared at

- What? What do you mean he disappeared?- I growl, disgusted at the idea of him being alone out there, without protection. God, he could have been kidnapped like Elisa.

Mrs. Kath begins to relate the events, she says she was desperate and out of her mind while looking for him. Henrique was found by a female, whom my mother also made a point of emphasizing that she was surprised by her kindness, and said that if it hadn't been for her she wouldn't know what would have happened.

Until this moment I was feeling very relieved and grateful to this Mel, after all, Henry was safe. But everything changed when I heard that she, a stranger, was invited to my partner's birthday party.

- How can you invite someone you don't even know? This female may be trying to infiltrate our kingdoms to provide information to those damned bloodsuckers - I am exasperated by my mother's naivety, what was she thinking?

I frown, not understanding how he got attached so fast, Henry has never been like that, on the contrary, it is very difficult to gain his trust.

- Atlas- I look contrarily at Mistress Kath- it may sound crazy, but I saw the sincerity in her eyes as we talked. She didn't do any kind of flattery when she heard about my position, and she didn't even treat me differently when she found out about it - there is something akin to admiration in her eyes - Mel seems to be a very good female, my son, and I make sure she goes to the birthday party - he finishes in a determined tone.

I run my hands nervously through my hair, messing up even more the already clumpy strands. My mother would not give in and there is nothing left for me to do but to accept and make sure to keep an eye on this female during the party.

- Okay, but I warn you that I'll be right on her tail, and if she presents any danger I'll make sure to rip her throat out myself- my tone turns cold making it clear that I wasn't kidding- now if you'll excuse me I need to change.

- As if I haven't already seen what's under that blanket, did you forget that I'm the one who changed your diapers?- his debauched tone is present.

- Miss Kath, I think you forgot that I am the supreme and that if any of the soldiers hear this I will be a laughingstock," I scold, but I don't particularly care, after all, I would kill anyone who dared to disrespect me or my family.

- I carried you for eight months, and I would have carried you for nine months if you hadn't been so hasty. I stayed sleepless nights so that at a certain point in my "old age" I would be abandoned. These kids nowadays are all ungrateful - he picks Hick up and leaves the room, closing the door behind him, while still grumbling.

I smile at his peculiar and incredible way of being.

I head towards the bathroom where I perform my hygiene and take a cold shower welcoming the jets of water under my body.

After a few minutes, I step out of the shower and wrap a white towel around my hips. I stop in front of the mirror, which was not fogged up since I took a cold shower, looking at my image and seeing the shell of a male who, as unbeatable as he seems, has a weak point.

She is my weak point.

(...)

Flashback:

I was walking through the streets of Black after I had just come back from a hunt, I had caught a huge elk, and that somehow invigorated my spirits.

I was passing in front of the Collins castle when I smelled something, it was faint and I couldn't tell what it was, I only knew that my wolf was drunk, he wanted it, whatever it was.

I stopped and took a deeper breath, that smell... I ran after him, I couldn't act rationally. I followed him to the gate that was promptly opened by the security guards who wisely did not even think of challenging their superior.

As I entered, I could smell the strongest and most intense odor. I had no control over my feet as I took firm steps toward what seemed to be the garden.

In the distance I spotted the alpha Christian and the luna Elisabeth, they were hugging in front of a rose bush while exchanging caresses that I particularly found very sweet.

With each step my wolf became more and more hallucinated, his protective instinct was present in a way never seen before, I just didn't know exactly for what.

I stepped on a dry leaf, which attracted their attention and they turned to look at me strangely since they were not expecting my visit.

I don't judge them, even though I didn't expect to be here.

My eyes wander around them in a vain attempt to spot someone other than myself. I am instantly disappointed, for one measly moment I thought I had found my companion... I was stunned to hear Klaus' voice in my thoughts. Hell, did he say what I thought I heard, or was my mind playing tricks on me?

(Stop fooling around and look at Elisabeth's belly, our companion is there)-I quickly look at it and how surprised I am to see that that wonderful smell was coming from there.

We had found it!

- Why are you staring at my companion's belly?- I am brought out of my reverie by Christian's voice- if it continues we will have an ugly fight regardless of whether he is the supreme or not- his tone makes his displeasure clear.

On any other occasion, I would have simply killed the wretch who defied me in such a way, but at this moment I have no intention of focusing on anything but her.

- My companion... Elisabeth is pregnant with the future supreme moon - I say in one breath, being short and to the point. Their reactions ranged from surprise to pure and genuine happiness.

Christian after turning white as paper twirled Elisabeth around, while Elisabeth laughed at his attitude. It would have been a real movie scene if I hadn't gotten in the way.

- I know you're happy, but you can stop this twirling, we don't know if it's going to hurt my destiny - Christian glares at me, but then adopts a concerned look, agreeing with what I'm saying.

Elisabeth just rolls her eyes discreetly while mumbling something related to "males".

Christian, as irritated as he was to find out that his little girl had barely been born and had already found her mate, accepted after we had a very serious talk about the subject.

The months that passed couldn't have been better, at least for me, because for the Collins having me around at every moment was becoming almost like a nightmare.

I began to regulate Elisabeth's meals, help with everything that was needed, and even got in the way of some of the moments when they both wanted to be alone.

It is frustrating that it all ended so tragically.